The Aurora AU830MA is a micro-cut paper shredder designed for personal and small office use, capable of shredding paper, credit cards, small paper clips, and staples. It features a compact design with caster wheels for easy mobility and a pull-out wastebasket for convenient emptying.
Function Description:
The shredder operates by feeding documents or credit cards into designated slots, which are then cut into small micro-cut pieces for enhanced security. It offers three main operational modes: "Auto/On" for automatic shredding upon paper insertion, "Off" to power down the unit, and "Reverse" or "Forward" for clearing paper jams. Safety features include a power cut-off mechanism that activates if the wastebasket door is open or the bin is removed, preventing operation. LED indicators provide visual feedback on the shredder's status, including "Bin Full," "Door Open," "Overload," "Overheat," and "Power On."
Important Technical Specifications:
- Sheet Capacity: 8 sheets of 20 lb. bond paper (one folded sheet of paper equates to 2 sheets of paper). Heavier paper, humidity, or lower than rated voltage may reduce capacity.
- Paper Shred Size: 3/32 in. x 15/32 in. pieces (2 mm x 12 mm pieces), indicating a micro-cut shred type.
- Paper Entry Width: 8.7 in / 220 mm.
- Credit Card Capacity: 1 at a time.
- Duty Cycle: 20 minutes on / 45 minutes off, indicating the maximum continuous operation time before requiring a cool-down period.
- Voltage: 120V~60Hz / 3.0 A.
- Shreds: Credit cards, small paper clips, staples.
Usage Features:
- Installation: The shredder requires minimal assembly, involving attaching four caster wheels to the bottom of the body and then carefully placing the shredder head onto the body, ensuring it is correctly mounted. It connects to a standard 120-volt AC outlet.
- Control Switch: A slide switch allows users to select between "Auto/On," "Off," and "Reverse/Forward" modes.
- Auto/On: Automatically starts shredding when paper is inserted into the feed slot. The shredder stops automatically once the paper has passed through.
- Off: Turns off all shredder functions, recommended when the unit is unattended.
- Reverse (REV): Used to help clear paper jams by backing up the cutters. It is advised to empty the wastebasket before using this function to clear a jam.
- Forward (FWD): Can also be used to manually activate the shredder into cutting mode to help clear paper jams.
- Paper/Credit Card Feeding: Paper should be inserted as straight as possible into the feed slot, not exceeding the 8-sheet capacity. Credit cards should be fed vertically, one at a time, into the middle of the entry slot.
- LED Status Indicators:
- Power On (Green LED): Indicates the shredder is "On" and ready for operation.
- Overheat (Red LED): Illuminates if the shredder has operated continuously beyond its maximum running time. The unit will automatically shut off and requires a 45-minute cool-down period.
- Overload (Red LED): Indicates that too much paper has been inserted. Users should switch to "Reverse" mode to back up and reduce the number of sheets.
- Door Open (Red LED): Signals that the shredder basket is not properly closed or the pull-out wastebasket is removed. The shredder will not operate until the door is secured and the "Power On" indicator is lit.
- Bin Full (Red LED): Indicates the wastebasket needs to be emptied. The shredder will be inoperable until the wastebasket is cleared.
- Jam Clearing: For paper jams, users can switch to "Reverse" mode to loosen the paper. If persistent, shredder oil can be applied to the jammed area and allowed to soak for 30 minutes before attempting to clear again. An index card or rigid cardstock can also be used to push through stubborn jams.
- Activation Sensor: The shredder's activation sensor is located near the center of the feed slot. If the shredder is constantly running in "Auto (On)" mode, the sensor might be blocked by paper, dust, debris, or oil. Cleaning the sensor with a cotton swab is recommended.
Maintenance Features:
- Oiling: The shredder blades should be oiled monthly using basic vegetable, cooking oil, or shredder oil (not included). The procedure involves turning off the shredder, applying oil across the paper entry, and then running the shredder in reverse mode for 3-5 seconds. This helps maintain blade performance and extends the shredder's lifespan.
- Cleaning: The unit should always be unplugged before cleaning. Only a dry, soft cloth or towel should be used to wipe the unit. Water or flammable chemicals should not be used, and the shredder should never be immersed in water. If it gets wet, it should be thoroughly dried.
- Wastebasket Management: The wastebasket should not be allowed to become full, as this can cause shredded material to be pulled back into the shredder, leading to jams.
- Avoidance of Aerosols: Do not spray or keep any aerosol products, including canned air, in or around the shredder, as this poses a fire risk and can cause serious injury.
- Prohibited Materials: Never shred metal credit cards, large paper clips, window or insulated envelopes, continuous forms, newsprint, bound pages (like notepads, checkbooks, magazines), transparencies, laminated documents, cardboard, or any items with adhesives or hard materials (except plastic credit cards).
- Self-Service Warning: Users should not attempt to service the product themselves, as this may expose them to sharp cutting blades and/or electricity, and will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Warranty and Support:
The Aurora AU830MA comes with a limited product warranty: 5 years for the cutting cylinders and 1 year for all other parts, from the original purchase date. Proof of purchase is required for warranty claims. The warranty is void if the product has been damaged, misused, improperly serviced, or if the factory seal is broken. For support, customers can contact Aurora Corp. of America via telephone (1-800-327-8508 for USA, 1-310-793-5650 International) or email (info@auroracorp.com).